Flash just stopped working?

Eruditass · 06-30-2010, 01:01 PM

My trusty old AF280T all of a sudden stopped charging to the point of being ready for a release. This happened yesterday, after just using it, maybe like 30 minutes passed, and it no longer would release flashes. Now I just hear the high-pitched squeal and no ready light.

I've charged the batteries, put in fresh ones, let it sit overnight without batteries, etc.

Any suggestions?

Ratmagiclady · 06-30-2010, 01:19 PM

Originally posted by Eruditass

My trusty old AF280T all of a sudden stopped charging to the point of being ready for a release. This happened yesterday, after just using it, maybe like 30 minutes passed, and it no longer would release flashes. Now I just hear the high-pitched squeal and no ready light.

I've charged the batteries, put in fresh ones, let it sit overnight without batteries, etc.

Any suggestions?

Hrm, is the ready light also the test button? Wondering if that might be the hangup.

graphicgr8s · 06-30-2010, 01:21 PM

Sounds like the capacitor is gone. That happened to my Vivitar handle mount a couple of years ago. Capasitor just wouldn't hold the charge. too bad for me the flash wasn't a common one so no spare used parts were available. Good for me because I found a AF400T Pentax handle mount.

Eruditass · 06-30-2010, 01:38 PM

Ready light is separate from the test button (which doesn't work, of course).

How easy is it to open up? Is the capacitor value printed? I have some spare parts around.

alohadave · 06-30-2010, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Is the capacitor value printed?

It should be printed on the label of the cap.

Be very careful when dealing with the capacitor. If it is not dead, and there is a charge in it, it can give you a very dangerous shock. Be sure to short the leads of the cap with an insulated tool.

**Ex Finn.** · 06-30-2010, 03:30 PM

Sounds like the cap is shot. If you end up taking it apart, post some pictures if you can. I have one so I am curious.

By shorting out capacitors with a low resistance "tool" or what ever, you can actually damage them. Better way to discharge a capacitor is to get a clip-lead and a resistor, something around 10k ohm should do. Hook it across the terminals and wait couple minutes.
I realize that a flash discharge capacitor was build to withstand high peak joules/second discharge rates, but why stress things when not necessary.

Cheers, Mike.

Eruditass · 06-30-2010, 04:36 PM

Originally posted by alohadave

It should be printed on the label of the cap.

Be very careful when dealing with the capacitor. If it is not dead, and there is a charge in it, it can give you a very dangerous shock. Be sure to short the leads of the cap with an insulated tool.

Will do, I'll use a high ohm resistor, if I can even find which one it is.

Has anyone opened up one of these or have a circuit diagram (crosses fingers)? Will it be obvious as to which capacitor?

SOldBear · 06-30-2010, 04:55 PM

Originally posted by Eruditass

Will it be obvious as to which capacitor?

The biggest one. You can't miss it.

alohadave · 06-30-2010, 05:20 PM

Originally posted by SOldBear

The biggest one. You can't miss it.

And it's usually in the flash head itself, not in the body.

graphicgr8s · 07-01-2010, 05:49 AM

Like I said the capacitor is more than likely dead. Shorting it won't hurt it any more. And shorting it once won't kill a good cap either.

06-30-2010, 01:01 PM	#1
Eruditass Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,207	Flash just stopped working? My trusty old AF280T all of a sudden stopped charging to the point of being ready for a release. This happened yesterday, after just using it, maybe like 30 minutes passed, and it no longer would release flashes. Now I just hear the high-pitched squeal and no ready light. I've charged the batteries, put in fresh ones, let it sit overnight without batteries, etc. Any suggestions?

06-30-2010, 03:30 PM	#6
Ex Finn. Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern Maryland. Espoo. Kouvola. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,975	Sounds like the cap is shot. If you end up taking it apart, post some pictures if you can. I have one so I am curious. By shorting out capacitors with a low resistance "tool" or what ever, you can actually damage them. Better way to discharge a capacitor is to get a clip-lead and a resistor, something around 10k ohm should do. Hook it across the terminals and wait couple minutes. I realize that a flash discharge capacitor was build to withstand high peak joules/second discharge rates, but why stress things when not necessary. Cheers, Mike. Last edited by Ex Finn.; 06-30-2010 at 03:47 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
K20 stopped working with Sigma HSM	DaveshootPentax	Pentax DSLR Discussion	4	06-25-2010 04:18 AM
FA* 80-200mm/2.8 stopped working :((( HELP!!!!!!!!	luke0622	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	10	01-09-2010 07:29 AM
Help! 360FGZ flash not working	dws1117	Flashes, Lighting, and Studio	2	10-31-2008 07:38 AM
K10 rear e-dial stopped working	ryan s	Pentax DSLR Discussion	5	03-10-2008 03:37 PM
AF-360 Wireless stopped working!	MNCurt-K10D	Pentax Camera and Field Accessories	3	10-23-2007 07:10 PM

06-30-2010, 01:19 PM	#2
Ratmagiclady Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: GA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,563	Originally posted by Eruditass My trusty old AF280T all of a sudden stopped charging to the point of being ready for a release. This happened yesterday, after just using it, maybe like 30 minutes passed, and it no longer would release flashes. Now I just hear the high-pitched squeal and no ready light. I've charged the batteries, put in fresh ones, let it sit overnight without batteries, etc. Any suggestions? Hrm, is the ready light also the test button? Wondering if that might be the hangup.

06-30-2010, 01:21 PM	#3
graphicgr8s Guest	Sounds like the capacitor is gone. That happened to my Vivitar handle mount a couple of years ago. Capasitor just wouldn't hold the charge. too bad for me the flash wasn't a common one so no spare used parts were available. Good for me because I found a AF400T Pentax handle mount.

06-30-2010, 01:38 PM	#4
Eruditass Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,207 Original Poster	Ready light is separate from the test button (which doesn't work, of course). How easy is it to open up? Is the capacitor value printed? I have some spare parts around.

06-30-2010, 03:18 PM	#5
alohadave Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Quincy, MA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,024	Quote: Is the capacitor value printed? It should be printed on the label of the cap. Be very careful when dealing with the capacitor. If it is not dead, and there is a charge in it, it can give you a very dangerous shock. Be sure to short the leads of the cap with an insulated tool.

06-30-2010, 04:36 PM	#7
Eruditass Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,207 Original Poster	Originally posted by alohadave It should be printed on the label of the cap. Be very careful when dealing with the capacitor. If it is not dead, and there is a charge in it, it can give you a very dangerous shock. Be sure to short the leads of the cap with an insulated tool. Will do, I'll use a high ohm resistor, if I can even find which one it is. Has anyone opened up one of these or have a circuit diagram (crosses fingers)? Will it be obvious as to which capacitor?

06-30-2010, 04:55 PM	#8
SOldBear Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Alameda, CA Posts: 3,206	Originally posted by Eruditass Will it be obvious as to which capacitor? The biggest one. You can't miss it.

06-30-2010, 05:20 PM	#9
alohadave Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Quincy, MA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,024	Originally posted by SOldBear The biggest one. You can't miss it. And it's usually in the flash head itself, not in the body.

07-01-2010, 05:49 AM	#10
graphicgr8s Guest	Like I said the capacitor is more than likely dead. Shorting it won't hurt it any more. And shorting it once won't kill a good cap either.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search